Spool mechanism



J. P. LOOP SPOOL MECHANISM Jfily 5, 1 960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1955 INVENTOR. JAMES P. LOOP ATTORNEYS J. P. LOOP SPOOL MECHANISM July 5, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1955 INVENTOR.

JAMES P. LOOP ATTORNEYS July 5, 1960 J. P. LOOP 2,943,807

SPOOL MECHANISM Filed April 15; 1955 v 3 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

JAMES P. LOOP BY M 14, add/MM ATTORNEYS SPOOL MECHANISM James P. Loop, Kokomo, Ind., assignor to Continental Steel Corporation, Kokomo, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Apr. 1955, Ser. No. 501,537

10 Claims. (Cl. 242"72.1)

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like, and more particularly to an improved spool mechanism having an expansible and collapsible core.

Although various spool mechanisms of the expansible and collapsible-core type have heretofore been devised or suggested for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like, nearly all have had one or more common shortcomings, including complication of structure, malfunctioning of parts that become worn, and difficulty or inconvenience in removing coils of wire that have been tightly wound around their cores. One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable expansible and collapsible-core spool mechanism that is relatively simple and inexpensive in its construction and provides greater ease in the removal of coils of wire therefrom than previously known spools. To this end, the spool per se of the present mechanism is comprised of two principal assemblies, each of which is separately mounted for rotation opposite the other assembly and each includes a spool end and an expansible and collapsible fractional portion of a radially segmented, preferably substantially cylindrical core. the two assemblies is such that they are relatively movable in an axial direction toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to a separated or open position. Movement of the two assemblies into the closed position brings the opposed ends of the two fractional core portions together to provide a completely assembled core and spool upon which wire may be wound, and at the same time causes the segments of the two core portions to be displaced radially, thereby increasing the effective diameter of the core. Retraction of the two assemblies from the closed position to their open position, on the other hand, permits the two core portions to collapse within the coil of wire wound thereon and at the same time the retracting movement forcefully withdraws one of the core portions from one end of the coil, leaving the coil on the remaining core portion. Removal of the coil of wire from this remaining core portion is accomplished simply by sliding the coil therefrom in an axial direction, the two core portions being separated by an unobstructed space to facilitate this removal when the two spool structures are in their open position. It will be seen that theremoval of a coil of wire in this manner from the spool mechanism of the present invention is accomplished easily and quickly without the removal of flanges or other disassembly of the structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in combination with spool mechanism of the above character means for forcefully moving the two principal assemblies of the spool together to their closed position and means by which the pressure thereby produced between the abutting ends of the two fractional core portions is utilized to move the core portions axially of their respective spool ends to produce outward radial displacement of the segments of the core portions, thereby increasing the diameter of the assembled core. Still another object The mounting of atent of the invention is to provide means at the abutting ends of the two core portions for anchoring the end of a strand of wire to be wound into a coil on the assembled core, the end of the wire being automatically and positively released when the two principal assemblies of the spool are moved to their open position preparatory to removal of the coil.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in the spool mechanism novel means for retaining the segments of the two core portions on their respective spool ends while at the same time permitting axial and radial move ment of the segments with respect to the spool ends. Still another object of the invention is to provide segment retaining means of the character just stated which also prevent rotation of the two core portions and their segments with respect to their respect spool ends and further provide interd-rive connections between the two core portions when the spool assemblies are moved to their closed position, thereby permitting the closed spool to be driven as an integral unit. Still another object of the invention is to provide spool mechanism of the above character wherein the segment retaining and interdrive connecting means also guides the core segments in an axial direction on their respective seats.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational View of a wire coil or bundle winding machine embodying one form of the invention, the spool mechanism being shown in its closed position with the two core portions or halves thereof expanded and in condition to receive wire thereon to form a coil "between the flanges of the spool;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the spool mechanism in its open position wherein the two core portions are in their collapsed condition;

Fig. 3 is a view of the separated spool mechanism on a larger scale, the two core portions and certain portions of the mounting structure being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the spool mechanism in its closed condition with the two core portions or halves in their expanded condition, the beginning of a coil or bundle of wire being shown wound about the core;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the segments of one of the core-halves in their expanded condition, only the end of the coil of wire being shown in this view; and

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the spool mechanism showing the condition of collapse of the two core-halves shortly after separating movement of the two principal spool assemblies is begun, the two core-halves being shown in vertical section.

In the drawings the collapsible-core spool mechanism of the present invention is shown embodied in a Wire coil or bundle winding machine having upright front and back walls 10 and 11 that are part of a box-like base that is closed at its opposite ends by a pair of end walls 12. An electric motor 13 is mounted in any suitable manner within the base, with its drive shaft 14 extending outwardly through an opening 15 in one of the end walls 12, the shaft having a drive pulley 16 mounted thereon. V-belts 17 transmit power from the electric motor to another pulley 18 mounted on a shaft 19 that is rotatably journalled in bearings 20 mounted in fixed spaced apart position on a built-up block 21 suitably secured on a horizontal top plate 22 that may be welded or otherwise secured to the upper edges of the front, rear and end walls of the base of the machine. Opposite the block 21 there are a pair of parallel, laterally spaced upstanding rail members 23 welded or otherwise secured to the top plate 22, only one of the rail members being visible in the drawings. Each of these rail members is provided with a pair of vertically spaced, horizontal, and inwardly projecting retaining rails 24 and 25. A movable carriage 26 is supported by the rail members 23 for movement toward and away from the shaft 19, the carriage 26 being provided on its opposite sides with rollers 27 which ride between the horizontal rails 24 and of the rail members. A U-shaped bracket 28 having two downwardly extending side flanges or legs 29 (only one of which is seen in the drawings) is disposed in straddling fashion across the outside of the two rail members 23, with the flanges 29 of the bracket residing alongside the outer vertical surfaces of the rail members and spaced outwardly therefrom where they are pivotally received on a pair of laterally projecting pins 30 that are anchored to the respective rail members. The U-shaped bracket is provided with a hand operated lever 31 by which the bracket may be pivoted about the pins 30 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

The lower end of a diagonally upwardly extending link 33 is pivotally mounted upon the inner face of each flange 29 of the bracket 28 as by a pin 32, the link extending upwardly alongside the carriage 26 Where its upper end is pivotally secured to the carriage by a pivot pin 34. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the bracket 28 and the links 33 (only one of which is shown) serve to advance and retract the carriage 26 on the rail members 23 when the bracket 28 is pivoted by means of the handle 31. Raising of the handle 31 from the position shown in Fig. l pivots the bracket 28 in a counter-clockwise manner, causing the pivot pin 32 to be carried in the same direction to move the links 33 to the left and thereby cause the carriage 26 to be moved to the retracted position shown in Fig. 2. Returning movement of the handle 31, on the other hand, pivots the bracket 28 in a clockwise fashion to advance the carriage 26 toward the shaft 19. In this advancing movement of the carriage 26 the pivot pins 32 pass through an overcenter position (located along a straight line between the pins 30 and the pins 34) to lock the carriage 26 in its advanced position.

The carriage 26 has a pair of spaced bearings 35 thereon which rotatably carry a second shaft 36 that is located in axial alignment with the shaft 19, the shaft 36, like the shaft 19, being supported in its hearings in a well known manner so as to prevent axial movement of the shaft with respect to its bearings.

The end of the shaft 19 opposite the pulley 18 has a cone or conical-shaped seat 37 formed thereon which projects axially inwardly from a spool end or hub 38 that is keyed to the shaft by a key 39 (Fig. 4), the hub 38 having integrally formed thereon a radially extending flange 40 having an inner face 41. The corresponding end of the shaft 36 has a similar axially projecting conical seat 42 formed thereon, and inwardly of the seat 42 the shaft 36 has keyed thereto, as by a key 43 (Fig. 4), another spool end or hub 44 having a radially extending flange 45 formed integrally thereon, the inner face of this flange 45 being designated by the numeral 46 in the drawings.

Three equally spaced cylindrical pins 47 are threaded into the inner face 41 of the flange 40 about the seat 37 and each loosely carries an arcuate core segment 48a of a cylindrical, radially segmented core-half 48, each core segment having an opening 49 therethrough of elongated or substantial elliptical cross-section for loosely receiving one of the pins 47. The elongated or substantially elliptical shape of the cross-section of these openings is best seen in Fig. 5 where it will be noted that the longer axis of the elongated or ellipsoidal shape of each opening lies substantially in a radial position so that each segment 48a may move radially with respect to its pin 47. The outer peripheral surfaces 50 of the segments 48a form the substantially cylindrical outer surface of the core-half 48 and each segment is provided with an inner surface 51 which corresponds to the shape of the surface of the conical seat 37 and is adapted to ride axially thereon. An axially located recessed opening 52 is provided in the collective outer ends of the segments 48a for receiving the head 53 of an Allen-head bolt 54 that is threaded into the outer end of the frusto-conical seat 37.

The flange 45 has three similarly projecting cylindrical pins 55 threaded into its inner face 46 about the conical seat 42. These pins, like the pins 47, each loosely carries an arcuate core segment 56a of another cylindrical, radially segmented core-half 56, the segments 56a being identical in size and shape to the core segments 48a. Each of the core segments 56a, like the segments 48a, is provided with an opening 57 therethrough having an oblong or substantially elliptical cross-section for loosely receiving a pin 55. The segments 56a are provided with inner surfaces 57 which are received upon and adapted to slide axially of the conical seat 42, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the segments 56a like those of the segments 48a, form the substantially cylindrical outer surface of the core-half 56; The outer collective ends of the segments 56a have a recessed opening 59 therein for receiving the head 60 of another Allen-head bolt 61 threaded into the outer end of the frusto-conical seat 42. The presence of the head of this bolt in the recess 59 limits the axial movement of the segments 56a in a direction away from the flange 45 and it will be seen, as the description proceeds, that the presence of the head of the other bolt 54 in the recess 52 in the core-half 48 likewise limits the axial movement of the segments 48a of the core-half in a direction away from the flange 40.

In the open position of the two spool assemblies (Figs. 2 and 3) the segments 48a and 56a of the core halves 48 and 56 hang loosely on and about the two conical seats 37 and 42, the effect of gravity on the uppermost segments causing those segments to slide downwardly and thus radially inwardly along the slope of the respective seats to their collapsed or radially retracted positions. In this condition the diameters of the corehalves 48 and 56 are substantially at their minimum, the pins 47 and 55 and the bolt heads 53 and 60 retaining the segments about their respective seats and the opposed inner faces of the two core-halves being separated by an unobstructed space greater than the combined axial lengths of the two core-halves, as seen in Fig. 2. When it is desired to wind a coil of Wire onto the spool mechanism, the handle 31 is pulled to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, to pivot the U-shaped bracket 28 clockwise and thereby advance the carriage 26 with its shaft 36 and the spool end thereon toward the other spool end on the shaft 19. Before the two spool assemblies meet in closed position the flange 45 may be gripped by the hand and the spool assembly on the shaft 36 is rotated, if necessary, to a position wherein the pins 47 are aligned with the openings 57 in the core-half 56. These pins 47 are substantially longer than the corresponding pins 55 and their outermost ends protrude from the openings 49 of the segments 48a as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. With the openings 57 aligned with the pins 47, the advancing movement of the carriage 26 is continued to cause the pins 47 to enter the openings 57 and to bring the inner faces of the two core-halves 48 and 56 forcefully together, causing the core segments 48a and 56a to be moved axially upon their respective seats 37 and 42 and, thus, to be extended radially to increase the diameters of the core-halves, this radial movement being permitted relative to the pins 47 and 55 by virtue of the oblong or substantial elliptical shape of the openings 49 and 57 in the segments. In this movement of the parts to the fully closed position the axial movement of the segments upon their respective seats is guided by the pins to insure that the segments do not bind on the seats or with each other.

In the fully closed position of the spool (Fig. 4),

scissor thereby locking the spool assemblies in their closed position.

It will be noted that inasmuch as each of the core segments is loosely received on a pin 47 or 55, these pins prevent rotation of the segments and the core-halves with respect to their respective spool *en'ds. Furthermore, it will be noted that inasmuch as the protruding ends of the pins 47 are received in the openings 57 of the segments 56a when the spool assemblies are in their closed position, these pins comprise 'i'nte'r drive connections between the two spool assemblies which permit the assembled spool to be driven as an integral unit solely by the 'rotative power supplied bythe motor 13 to the shaft 19.

After the spool assemblies have been moved to their closed and locked position, as described above, an end of the Wire that is to be wound upon the spool is anchored thereto. For this purpose the opposed faces of a pair of the core segments 48a and 56a: are each provided with a half-round radially extending groove 65 (Figs. 4 and 5), the two half-round grooves being so located that they are directly opposite each other when the pins 47 have entered the openings 57 of the segments of the core-half 56. If desired, each of the segments 48a and 56a may be provided with such grooves, but for simplification in the drawings only two whereupon power Winding of the wire upon the spool may begin.

Rotation of the closed spool by the power driven shaft 19 will wind the wire 57 onto the assembled core to form or build-up a tight, compact coil thereon ofthe desired size, a partial coil being shown on the core in Figs. 4 and 6 for purposes of illustration. When the full coil has been formed, rotation of the spool is discontinued and the wire leading to the spool is preferably cut. The present construction is such that the coil may then be bound by transverse wire straps or the like while the coil is still on the spool. To this end each of the flanges 4i) and 45 are provided with a pair of radial slots '68 that extend inwardly from the peripheries of the flanges to a position opposite the ends of the core-halves 43 and 56. These slots provide openings through which tying straps or wires may be passed through longitudinally aligned grooves 69 (Fig. 5) provided in the peripheries of the core-halves and thereupon be wrapped or tied about the bundle or coil of wire. When the bundle has been tied 'it is ready for removal from the spool, which is accomplished by opening the spool by causing retraction of the carriage 25, the lever 31 being moved for this purpose in the direction opposite to that described above. Initial movement of the lever carries the lower ends of the links 33 upwardly and rearwardly out of their overcenter position to unlock the assembly. Continued movement of the lever retracts the carriage 26 and the shaft 36 and the spool end thereon. This retracts the conical seat 42 from its prior position and permits the segments 56a of the core-half 56 to move radially inwardly with respect to the inner convolutions of the coil of wire, this radial inward motion of the segments being produced by the compression of the tightly wound coil thereon, and "also by gravity insofar as the u per seg ments are concerned. Continued retraction causes the core-half 56 to be withdrawn from the coil and the segments 48a of the core-half 48 to move to their collapsed positions on the conical seat 37., thereby leaving the "tightly 'WOllIld and tied coil hanging relatively loosely on "the core-lilalf 48. It will be noted that this positive retraction 'of the collapsed core-half 5'6 fromthe bundle positively separates the inner faces of the two :c'ore-halves and consequently positively releases the previously anchored 'end '66 of the -coiled wire. When the spool assembly carried by the carriage 26 has been retracted to its open position, as 'just explained, the

fin'ished coil is removed from the core-half 48 simply by sliding it axially therefrom to the left, as viewed in the drawings.

The two core-halves 48 and 56 are shown in the drawin'gs and described above as being of identical construction with their segments being of 'identicalsize and shape. This is the preferred construction because of the simplicity it ofiiers and theease with which the parts may be interchanged. However, it will beobvious to those skilled in the art that the two core-halves and their respective segments may be of different axial lengths. Thus, the terms core-half and corehalves employed in the appended claims are intended to mean core portions that are-not necessarily of thesame axial length. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention, although it has been described above as being embodied in a machine for winding coils, may also be employed as a .mandrel for supporting coils while they are being unwound. For example, the machine shownin Figs. 1 and 2 may be converted to this use simply by substituting a suitable over-run brake for'the motor 13 and the drive belts 17. With this substitution in its installation, the spool mechanism of the present invention may provide an ideal self centering mandrel from which coils with proper inner diameters may be unwound. These suggestions and the foregoing description have been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary liimtations should be implied therefrom, for it will be apparent that various other changes and variations may be made in the spool mechanism and in themanner in which it is used, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I'claiin:

1. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, a pair of separate rotatably mounted axially aligned spool ends, a cone "on each spool end extending axially toward the other spool end, a pair of separate substantially cylindrical core-halves disposed respectively about said cones, each core-half being comprised of a plurality of arcuate core segments having inner surfaces slidable on the conical surface of thatcone about which the corehalf is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said cones when moved axially thereon, means il'lClUd". ing a stop member fixed upon the apex end of each cone for retaining the segments of said core-halves about their respective cones when said spool ends are separated, and means for moving one of said spool ends toward'the other to bring the ends of the segments of one of said cerehalves forcefully against the corresponding ends of 'the segments of the other core-half, thereby moving the segments of both of said core-halves axially upon said cones and displacing said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves.

2. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, a pair of individually mounted axially aligned rotatable spool ends, a tapered seat axially centered on the inner side of each of said spool ends, a pair of separate substantially cylindrical corehalves disposed respectively about said seats, each core-half being comprised of aplur-ality 'of core segments slidable on the tapered surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, means including a stop member fixed upon the apex end of each seat for retaining the segments of said core-halves about their respective seats when said spool ends are separated, and means for moving one of said spool ends in an axial direction toward the other to bring the ends of the segments of one of said core-halves forcefully against the corresponding ends of the segments of the other core-half, thereby moving the segments of both of said core-halves axially upon said seats and displacing said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves.

3. Spool mechanism upon which a coil of wire may be wound comprising, a pair of spaced apart separate spool ends mounted for rotation about a common axis, a tapered seat axially centered on the inner side of each of said spool ends, a pair'of separate substantially cylindrical radially expansible and collapsible core-halves respectively residing on said seats for axial movement with respect thereto, the inner ends of said core-halves being disposed in opposed position and each having a radially extending groove therein, said spool ends having an open position wherein said core-halves are in collapsed condition on their respective seats and said inner ends of said core-halves are separated by an unobstructed space permitting easy removal of a coil of wire from said corehalves, and a closed position wherein said inner ends of said core-halves are in pressing engagement with each other to cause said core-halves to be moved axially of their respective seats to expand said core-halves and at the same time providing an assembled core upon which wire may be wound, and means including a stop member fixed upon the inner end of each seat and respectively engaged by the inner end portions of said core-halves when said spool ends are in said open position for retaining each of said core-halves about its respective seat, said radially extending grooves being disposed opposite each other when said inner ends 'of said core-halves are engaged to provide an opening for receiving an end of said wire, and means for selectively moving said spool ends axially between said open position and said closed position.

4. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, a pair of spaced apart separate spool ends including radially extending flanges thereon, said spool ends being mounted for rotation about a common axis, a tapered seat axially centered on the inner side of each of said spool ends, a pair of separate substantially cylindrical core-halves disposed respectively about said seats, each core-half being comprised of a plurality of core segments slidable on the tapered surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, means individually retaining said segments .in position about their respective seats including a stop member fixed upon the apex end of each seat for engagement by the core segments slidable on that seat and a plurality of fixed longitudinally projecting pins on the inner face of each flange, each pin being loosely received in an opening provided in each segment, and means for moving one of said spool ends in an axial direction toward the other to bring the ends of the segments of one of said core-halves forcefully against the corresponding ends of the segments of the other core-half, thereby moving the segments of both of said core-halves axially upon said seats and displacing said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional shapes of said pins and said openings in said segments are uncomplementary in that one is substantially circular while the other is substantially oblong, thereby permitting greater lateral movement of said segments with respect to said pins in one direction than in another.

6. In an expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding and unwinding coils of wire and the like, the combination comprising, a rotatable spool end including a radially extending flange, an axially extending tapered seat on one side of said spool end, a radially segmented core member disposed about said seat and arranged to slide axially thereon, the segments of said core member being displaced radially when moved axially on said seat, a stop member fixed upon the apex end of each seat for engagement by the core segments slidable on that seat and limiting the extent of axial movement of said core member in a direction away from said flange, and means individually retaining said segments about said seat while permitting axial and radial movement of said segments with respect thereto, said last mentioned means including a plurality of fixed longitudinally extending pins loosely extending into openings provided in said segments.

7. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding and unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, first and second spaced apart separate spool ends mounted for rotation about a common axis, a tapered seat on the inner side of each of said spool ends, first and second substantially cylindrical core-halves disposed respectively about said seats, each core-half being comprised of a plurality of core segments slidable on the tapered surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said first spool end loosely received in openings in the segments of said first core-half for retaining those segments about their respective seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said second spool end loosely received in openings in the segments of said second core-half for retaining the latter segments about their seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, means for moving said spool ends relatively toward each other in an axial direction to a closed position to bring the ends of the segments of said first core-half forcefully into engagement with the corresponding ends of said second corehalf to move said segments axially in one direction upon their respective seats and thereby displace said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves and a stop member fixed upon the apex end of each seat for limiting the axial movement of said segments in the opposite direction when the ends of said segments of said core-halves are again separated.

8. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding or unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, a pair of axially aligned separately rotatable shafts having spaced apart opposed ends, a pair of axially extending conical seats formed on said opposed ends of said shafts, first and second radially extending spool flanges respectively fixed upon said shafts for rotation therewith, first and second substantially cylindrical corehalves disposed respectively about said seats, each corehalf being comprised of a plurality of core segments slidable on the conical surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said first flange loosely received in openings in the segments of said first core-half for retaining those segments about their respective seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, a plurality of longitudinally extending pins on said second flange loosely received in openings in the segments of said second core-half for retaining the latter core segments about their seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, means for moving said shafts and said flanges and spool-halves relatively toward each other in an axial direction to a closed position to bring the ends of the segments of one of said core-halves forcefully into engagement with the corresponding ends of the segments of the other core-half to move said segments axially upon their respective seats and thereby displace said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves, said retaining pins on said first flange extending through the segments of said first core-half and into the openings in the segments of said second core-half when in said closed position, thereby rotatalbly locking said core-halves and said flanges and shafts together for rotation as an integral unit, and means for applying rotative power to only one of said shafts.

9. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding and unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising first and second spaced apart separate spool ends mounted for rotation about a common axis, a tapered seat on the inner side of each of said spool ends, first and second substantially cylindrical core-halves disposed respectively about said seats, each core-half being comprised of a plurality of core segments slidable on the tapered surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said first spool end loosely received in openings in the segments of said first core-half for retaining those segments about their respec tive seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said second spool end loosely received inopenings in the segments of said second core-half for retaining the latter segments about their seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, and means for moving said spool ends relatively toward each other in an axial direction to a closed position to bring the ends of the segments of said first core-half forcefully into engagement with the corresponding ends of said second core-half to move said segments axially upon their respective seats and thereby displace said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves, said retaining pins on said first spool end extending through the segments of said first core-half and into the openings in the segments of said second core-half when said spool ends are in said closed position, thereby rotatably locking said spool ends and said core-halves together for rotation as an integral unit.

10. An expansible and collapsible spool mechanism for winding and unwinding coils of wire and the like comprising, first and second spaced apart separate spool ends mounted for notation about a common axis, a tapered seat on the inner side of each of said spool ends, first and second substantially cylindrical core-halves disposed respectively about said seats, each core-half being comprised of a plurality of core segments slidable on the tapered surface of that seat about which the core-half is disposed, said segments being displaced radially on said seats when moved axially thereon, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said first spool end loosely received in openings in the segments of said first core-half for retaining those segments about their respective seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, a plurality of longitudinally extending retaining pins on said second spool end loosely received in openings in the segments of said second core-half for retaining the latter segments about their seat and for guiding the same axially with respect thereto, means for moving said spool ends relatively toward each other in an axial direction to a closed position to bring the ends of the segments of said first core-half forcefully into engagement with the corresponding ends of said second core-half to move said segments axially upon their respective seats and thereby displace said segments radially to increase the diameters of said core-halves, said retaining pins on said first spool end extending through the segments of said first core-half and into the openings in the segments of said second core-half when said spool ends are in said closed position, thereby rotatably locking said spool ends and said core-halves together for rotat'ion as an integral unit, and means for applying rotative power only to one of said spool ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,167,721 Scott Jan. 11, 1916 1,462,401 Way July 17, 1923 1,593,012 Bryant July 20, 1926 2,298,759 Fouse Oct. 13, 1942 2,481,000 Bnunner Sept. 6, 1949 2,591,730 Sendzimir Apr. 8, 1952 2,663,512 Erhardt Dec. 22, 1953 

